Woken up with a massively swollen face - what do you think has caused it?

[GreenAlien]

I'm away for work this week, arrived Sunday night and fly back Thursday.

I do get hayfever normally and have a history of having allergic reactions in spring because of grass pollen but never in winter.

Yesterday my face was a bit red and swollen but only on my cheeks and I thought maybe it was a bit of rosacea. I haven't been diagnosed with it but it runs in my family and I'm doing a fair amount of public speaking so that made my face flush and I thought that was it.

I've gone to bed last night and woken up with my eyes swollen and puffy, my face is absolutely bright red from my forehead down to my chin and I have a red rash (not hives) on my chest. I've been lying under a cold flannel for the last hour because my face feels like it is on fire.

I have googled and have a pharmacy a 6 mins walk away that opens at 8am so I will go and grab some antihistamines but does it sound like an allergic reaction?

I'm wondering whether the pillows have duck feathers or something and it's bothered me. I genuinely can't think what else it could be. Is there any other condition that suddenly makes your face look like a tomato 😂

It sounds like an allergy. Try the antihistamines first and see if that helps

Thanks - will go speak to the pharmacist and see what they say.

As you're in a hotel it could be anything. Most likely what the bedding was washed in? It will have been building up since Sunday. But could be the pillow, the soap, an air freshener, something being pumped through the air con? Unfamiliar food?

Definitely go get some antihistamines, hopefully that will help. I have quite reactive skin and I know how horrible it is.

Well my LO gets hives and all sorts in summer due to pollen and allergies, I've noticed it's already coming up on her legs..so maybe something has come out early? I've been a bit baffled why it's happening 😅

Have you got any antihistamines and see if that helps? At least helps filter through to find the cause.

Oh that's interesting @Wingingitnancy , I wonder what's bothering your little one

Yes the laundry detergent is a good call

It's a new job too argh so I hope the antihistamines work quickly. I look worse than I feel I think.

I'm in Ireland so at least there's no language barrier for the chemist!

Any sort of feather pillow or possibly house dust mites?

My goodness they are so lovely in Ireland. Pharmacist insisted on taking my blood pressure and my heart rate rate to check if I was going into anaphylaxis. He's given me a packet of fexofenadine that he says should take 30 mins to work (fingers crossed). If it's not better later, I need to go and get medical help. Weirdly it's not itchy which I would usually get with an allergic reaction but fingers crossed this works.

It does sound like an allergy. Have you taken any different medication? I only ask because I get like you’ve described if I take ibuprofen or similar.

Anything affecting the eyes can be serious. Please ask the pharmacist if they see any indicators of peri-orbital cellulitis.

I'm in Ireland and my tree pollen hay fever started last week, usually it wouldn't start until early Feb but we've had some warm spells. When I have hay fever I'm more reactive to other allergens so it could be something to do with your bedding. Although I've always been ok in hotels as they tend to use fairly basic detergents without all the scents and softeners that I react to in supermarket detergents.

Have you coloured your hair recently? If so, it could be an allergy to hair dye.

Is the rash like nettle rash? That often occurs in allergic reactions.

Should you try switching hotels in case something in their linen is triggering it?
It may not be that of course.

Any new facecreams, medications, foods?

Hope the medication the pharmacist gave you helps.

The fabric conditioner probably, so began my allergy to perfumes or anything perfumed. Woke up with the side I had slept on very puffy and eye so swollen I ended up in eye casualty as my boss freaked out as I couldn’t see out if it. I had always had sensitive skin, it was at start of Peri menopause when I was about 45.

Took 2 fexofenadine (240mg) and had relief for about an hour and it came back so have had to find a doctor. Now waiting for steroids and more antihistamines fgs

Do you have any idea what caused it OP?
Just worried in case you inadvertently expose yourself to the allergen again.

Going with the hotel laundry detergent theory, did you lay your clothes out on the bed before putting them on this morning? Or I just thought, did you wash your hair with hotel shampoo? You might be wearing the allergen.

I've had a shower twice today so I hope if it's anything I've put on my skin I've washed it off! Everyone says the swelling is looking better - fingers crossed I wake up better tomorrow argh!

Name change to RedAlien?

😂😂

Omg I think I am in love with prednisone

20mg and an hour later and I finally don't look horrific - my eyes open fully for the first time today. I can still see the swelling but it's not bright red anymore. I've got 3 days of steroids (20mg each day) and some diphenhydramine for tonight so that hopefully I get some sleep as I got almost none last night.

Thank you kind Irish doctor!

I am so glad something is helping!

I'm glad you have some relief! Really hope it doesn't flare up again tomorrow.

My Mum had cellulitis in her face - she was really swollen and her face was like a strawberry 🍓

She ended up quite unwell and in hospital for a week or so. Please take care op and seek more help if you need it!

Don’t worry about being swollen up for new job - tell them what happened and you’re still there on the job anyway and they’ll think you’re keen and resilient - win/win!

Plus antihistamines!